Who is Gowther, the Goat's Sin of Lust in The Seven Deadly Sins

 

Gowther, the Goat's Sin of Lust in The Seven Deadly Sins, is one of the most complex and intriguing characters in the series. Unlike the other members of the Sins, Gowther is not human; he's actually a doll created by a powerful wizard, the original Gowther, who gave him the ability to think and act like a human. This origin is crucial to understanding Gowther’s unique personality and actions throughout the series. As a doll, Gowther initially lacks emotions and struggles to comprehend human behavior, which often leads to misunderstandings with those around him. Despite his lack of emotions, he has a deep curiosity about feelings and relationships, always trying to learn more about what it means to be human.

This quest for understanding often leads him into morally ambiguous situations, where his actions, though logical to him, appear cold or even cruel to others. For example, Gowther has a tendency to manipulate people's memories, not out of malice, but because he believes it is a way to help them or solve a problem. His most notable instance of this is when he alters the memories of Guila, one of the Holy Knights, in an attempt to "fix" her pain by making her believe she’s in love with him. However, this action causes great distress and confusion for her and those around her, showing that Gowther's efforts to understand emotions often backfire.

Gowther’s powers are formidable. He can read minds, control memories, and even manipulate emotions to some extent. These abilities make him a valuable asset to the Seven Deadly Sins but also a dangerous one. His power to alter memories is both a gift and a curse, as it places him in a position where he could easily control or harm others, even if unintentionally. Despite this, Gowther isn't portrayed as evil; rather, he's portrayed as someone struggling to understand the world around him. His emotional detachment is not because he chooses to be cold, but because he doesn't fully grasp the consequences of his actions on a human level.

As the series progresses, we see Gowther slowly begin to change. His interactions with his fellow Sins, particularly King and Diane, begin to teach him the importance of emotions and the impact his actions have on others. King, who initially distrusts Gowther because of his manipulation of Diane’s memories, eventually comes to see Gowther’s internal struggle. Gowther, in turn, begins to realize that being human isn't just about logic or solving problems—it’s about understanding and experiencing emotions, even the painful ones.

One of the most significant turning points for Gowther comes when his true identity as a doll is revealed. This revelation helps to explain much of his behavior and adds depth to his character arc. Gowther isn't just a character searching for his place in the world; he's a being created for a purpose, grappling with the question of whether he has the right to exist independently of that purpose. This internal conflict mirrors the struggles of many of the other Sins, who also grapple with their pasts and their roles in the world, but Gowther’s is unique because he isn't human to begin with.

In the end, Gowther’s journey is about learning what it means to live. His creator gave him life, but it’s up to Gowther to decide what to do with it. His struggle to understand emotions, relationships, and his own identity is both tragic and inspiring. While he may never fully grasp the complexity of human emotions, Gowther comes to understand that they are an essential part of life, and that trying to shield others from pain—by altering their memories or controlling their feelings—is not the same as helping them.

Gowther’s growth as a character is subtle but profound. He begins as a cold, almost mechanical being, focused solely on logic and solving problems. But through his interactions with the other Sins and the people they encounter, he slowly begins to understand that life is not just about solving problems—it’s about experiencing it, in all its messy, painful, and beautiful forms. By the end of the series, Gowther is still learning, but he has come a long way from the emotionless doll he once was. He may not fully understand what it means to be human, but he has learned that it’s the journey, not the destination, that matters.